Thanks for posting the good news!! Always glad to hear from survivors!

__________________Michèle MarttalaSept 2011 - found swelling in right breast Nov 2011 - diagnosed with Stage IV IBC with bone mets HER2neu+++ hormone+++ (YES took three doctors and 8 weeks before diagnosis!)Nov 2011 to Feb 2012 - 4 cycles of FEC, Xjeva injections monthlyFeb 2012 to June 2012 - 18 weeks of weekly taxol, herceptin every three weeks July 2012 - mastectomy of right breast and full nodes removed under the right armJuly 2012 until today - taking tamoxifen daily, continue the herceptin every three weeks and continue the Xjeva injections monthly

What type of lifestyle changes did you make if any? Did you take part in any clinical trials?

Many blessings,
JJ

---------------------------------------------------------2009 - Routine mammogram = non palpable lump in the right breast2009 - Right breast biopsy = negative2009-2012- "normal" mammograms 2013 March or April (more or less) - Felt a lump and pain (right breast), but decided to wait until my routine mammogram in June.2013 June = routine mammogram showed "suspicious" lump in the right breast (same breast that was already biopsied and was negative in 2009)2013 June = + Breast ultrasound and + breast biopsy2013 June = Diagnosed with Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) Stage II at age 49.2013 July = Bilateral mastectomy. Mass was 6 cm!!!! so I was re-staged to stage IIIa. ER+PR+HER+++ Axillary Lymph Node Dissection 2+/17 nodes. Micrometastasis to one of the lymph nodes. Port placed for chemo.2013 July = PET & MUGA negative (normal)2013 August = Started A C T H. Already completed Adriamycin (A), and cyclophosphamide (C), and currently on paclitaxel (T) and Herceptin (H). Once I finish paclitaxel in December, will continue with Herceptin alone every 3 weeks until August 2014. 2013 October = MUGA negative (normal)

Congratulations and thank you for always coming back here. You were my shining star that I clung to in my early days. You are an awesome lady.
I have a feeling you will be around for many many many many years!!!

Im a new member... Im very happy to know that you are a 15 years survivor... God bless you. May I know your secret on on how you make it for 15 years? I have a 4 years old daughter and a widow... Every night I have a fear that I cannot see her grwing up. I was diagnosed last sept. 2013 and just done with herceptin last march 2016.... PLease share with me your daily lifestyle to beat our illness. Appreciate your utmost reponse. Thank you.

Hi friends....still here NED. Finishing 17 years after Dec 1999 diagnosis. The years have gone by quickly and am so grateful for each one. My husband and I are actually talking about retirement in 3 years and I never thought I'd live long enough to have that conversation. Was stage 3 with 9 positive nodes.

I've seen my 12 and 9 year old grow into adulthood, finish college and get good jobs. My daughter is getting married in May. Only we, in here, know what a gift that is.

I don't have special secrets for survival except that I was very aggressive about my treatment. I took a year of herceptin after the conventional chemo; opted for full mastectomy even for the non-cancerous breast and requested a hysterectomy a year after diagnosis (I was 45 then). I have no idea why I survived and other worthy women didn't. Cancer is mysterious.

I still work full time and teach part time. Go to the Y about 3x a week. My weight is normal and I eat everything: nothing is off limits including bacon and chocolate. 61 years old now.

Hi Gabrielle, so glad to see your post, and know you are doing well. I am behind you by 5 years, and I too sought out aggressive treatment.
You know we are blessed and thankful everyday for bring so beyond this
Life changing experience. Wishing you a very blessed holiday season!